Privacy Policy — HALP / Northern Geelong

1. Introduction

House And Land Packages Pty Ltd (ABN 92 631 641 408) ("HALP", "we", "us", or "our") operates multiple property and business directory platforms including www.halp.com.au, www.boutiquedevelopments.com.au and associated websites within our network.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). "Personal Information" has the meaning given in the Privacy Act, being — in sum — information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable, whether true or not, and whether recorded in material form or not.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose, and manage the personal information we collect either from you when you use our websites, services, and platforms or otherwise interact with us, or from third parties.

2. Information We Collect and How We Collect It

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect the following types of personal information:

Contact Information: name; email address; phone number (mobile and/or landline); mailing address; suburb, state, and postcode.

Property-Related Information: property search preferences; property budget and finance capacity; preferred locations and school zones; property type preferences (house and land, off-the-plan, etc.); investment or owner-occupier status.

Professional Information (for Business Listings): business name and trading name; ABN/ACN; business address; professional licenses and credentials; Professional Indemnity Insurance certificates and details; Trust Account details (where applicable for verification); business logo and marketing materials; service areas and specializations.

Mortgage and Finance Information: income details; employment status; deposit amount available; current mortgage or rental commitments; credit-related information (via third-party providers only).

Account Information: username and password (encrypted); account preferences and settings; subscription and payment history; saved searches and properties; communication preferences.

Inquiry and Communication Data: messages sent through our contact forms; email correspondence; phone call records (when you contact us); feedback and survey responses; customer support interactions.

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our websites, we automatically collect technical information (IP address, device identifiers, browser type and version, operating system, device type, screen resolution); usage data (pages visited, time spent, search queries, filters used, properties viewed/saved, click paths, referral sources, date and time of access); and location data (general location based on IP; precise location if you grant permission on mobile; location preferences for property searches).

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from real estate agents, developers, and builders you contact through our platform; mortgage brokers and financial service providers in our network; property data providers and aggregators; credit reporting agencies (with your consent); social media platforms (if you connect or share via social media); marketing and analytics service providers; government databases (for school zone and demographic information); and your employer or organization you work with, in the course of our dealings with them.

2.4 Information You Choose to Provide

We may also collect information when you subscribe to newsletters or alerts; register for an account; complete mortgage calculators; download property guides; submit property listings or business directory entries; participate in surveys or promotions; provide reviews or testimonials; or attend our events or webinars.

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Primary Uses

Service Delivery: provide access to our property search and discovery platforms; connect you with property developers, builders, and real estate agents; facilitate mortgage broker connections and home loan services; deliver school zone information and property insights; process and display property listings; manage business directory listings and subscriptions.

Communication: respond to your inquiries and provide customer support; send property alerts matching your search criteria; provide mortgage rate updates and finance information; send service-related notifications; communicate account and subscription information.

Platform Improvement: analyze usage patterns; develop new features and services; conduct market research and analysis; test and optimize website performance; improve search algorithms and recommendations.

Marketing (with consent): send newsletters about property market trends; provide information about new developments and listings; promote relevant services from our partners; conduct promotional campaigns and offers; share educational content and buying guides.

3.2 Legitimate Interests

We may also process your information based on legitimate business interests, including preventing fraud and maintaining platform security; enforcing our Terms of Service; protecting our legal rights and property; complying with legal obligations; managing and improving our business operations; and conducting business analytics and reporting.

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 When We Share Your Information

Property Industry Partners: property developers and builders whose listings you inquire about; real estate agents representing properties of interest; property management companies; project marketing and sales teams.

Financial Services Partners: mortgage brokers in our network (HALP Home Loans partners); home loan lenders and financial institutions; mortgage aggregators and comparison services.

Professional Service Providers: conveyancers and solicitors (upon request); building inspectors and valuers (upon request); removalist and utility connection services (upon request).

Technology and Service Providers: Amazon Web Services (AWS) hosting and backups; Pipedrive and ActiveCampaign CRM; Google Drive storage; Google Workspace email; Stripe payments; Google Analytics; marketing automation platforms; SMS and communication providers.

Business Operations: our related bodies corporate and affiliates; professional advisors (lawyers, accountants, auditors, consultants, business analysts); business purchasers or successors in the event of a sale or merger.

Legal Requirements: government agencies and law enforcement (when legally required); courts and tribunals (when ordered); regulatory authorities (as required by law).

4.2 How We Share Information

Property Listing Inquiries. When you submit an inquiry about a specific property listing through our platform, your inquiry (name, email, phone, message) goes directly to the listing agent, developer, or builder. HALP does not store or process these property-specific inquiries. The property advertiser becomes the data controller for your inquiry. You should review the privacy policy of the property advertiser. We facilitate the connection but do not retain your inquiry data.

General Platform Inquiries. When you use our general inquiry forms (Contact Us, Join Us, Advertise With Us), your information is collected and stored by HALP in our CRM systems (Pipedrive, ActiveCampaign); supporting documentation may be stored in Google Drive. We use this information to respond to your inquiry and provide services, and we may follow up via email or phone.

Business Directory. If you list your business in our professional directory, your business information will be publicly displayed on our websites, including your business name, services, contact details, and any information you choose to provide.

Aggregated Data. We may share anonymized, aggregated data that does not identify you personally for industry reporting, market analysis, and research purposes.

4.3 No Sale of Personal Information

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. Any sharing of information is done with your consent, to provide services you've requested, with service providers who assist us in operating our business, for the permitted purposes in sections 4.1 and 4.2, or as required by law.

5. Data Security and Storage

5.1 Security Measures

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information, including SSL encryption for data transmission; encrypted storage; secure authentication and access controls; regular security assessments; restricted access on a need-to-know basis; secure data centres (AWS) with physical security controls; regular backups; PCI-DSS compliant payment processing through Stripe; and staff training on privacy and data security.

Payment Security. All payment processing is handled by Stripe, a PCI-DSS Level 1 certified payment processor. Payment forms are processed securely through Stripe. HALP does not store complete credit card numbers on our servers. Payment data is encrypted and transmitted directly to Stripe. We may store limited payment information for subscription management (last 4 digits, expiry date). Tokenized payment methods are used for recurring subscriptions.

5.2 Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services, maintain your account, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes and enforce agreements, and maintain business records. Account information is retained while your account is active plus 7 years after closure; inquiry and communication records for up to 7 years; transaction records for 7 years (tax and legal compliance); marketing data until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent; website analytics typically for 26 months. After the retention period we securely delete or anonymize your personal information where that is practical given our storage systems.

5.3 Data Storage Locations

Your personal information may be stored on secure servers located in Australia and with cloud service providers who may store data internationally, including AWS (hosting, backups, infrastructure), Pipedrive (CRM), ActiveCampaign (marketing automation), Google Drive (document storage), and Stripe (payment processing).

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our websites. We use essential cookies (required for functionality, security and authentication); analytics cookies (Google Analytics and similar); functional cookies (preferences, saved searches, favorites); and marketing cookies (used with your consent to deliver relevant advertising and measure effectiveness).

You can control cookies through your browser settings, our cookie consent banner, and third-party opt-out tools. Disabling certain cookies may limit website functionality. We may also use web beacons and pixel tags, device fingerprinting, local storage technologies, and social media widgets and plugins.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Access and Correction. You have the right to access the personal information we hold about you, request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information, and receive a copy of your personal information in a portable format. To request access or correction, contact us at privacy@halp.com.au.

Opt-Out and Unsubscribe. You can unsubscribe from marketing emails using the link in each email; opt out of SMS communications by replying "STOP"; update preferences in your account settings; or contact us to request removal from specific communications. You cannot opt out of essential service communications related to your account or inquiries.

Account Deletion. You may request deletion of your account and associated personal information by contacting us at privacy@halp.com.au. We will confirm your identity, delete your account (subject to legal retention requirements), and notify you once complete.

Data Portability. You may request a copy of your personal information in a commonly used, machine-readable format.

Complaint Process. Contact privacy@halp.com.au — we acknowledge within 7 days and respond within 30 days. If unsatisfied, contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC): www.oaic.gov.au, 1300 363 992, enquiries@oaic.gov.au.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. Parents or guardians should contact us at privacy@halp.com.au if they believe we have inadvertently collected their child's information.

9. Third-Party Links and Services

Our websites may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices — review their policies. Third-party services we use include AWS, Google Analytics, Pipedrive, ActiveCampaign, Google Drive, Stripe, and social media platforms. Each has its own privacy policy.

10. International Data Transfers

Some service providers are located overseas or store data on international servers. Where reasonably practical we ensure the recipient country has substantially similar protections, or we have appropriate contractual protections, or we have your consent. Data may be transferred to the United States (AWS, Stripe, Google, Pipedrive, ActiveCampaign), European Union countries (regional processing and AWS servers), and other countries as disclosed when you provide information.

11. Marketing and Direct Marketing

With your consent we may send property listings and alerts, newsletters, information about new developments, home-loan and finance updates, educational content, and promotional offers. We obtain consent when you subscribe, register with opt-in, submit an inquiry with consent to updates, or download resources with opt-in.

Opt out at any time via unsubscribe links in emails, account settings, replying "STOP" to SMS, or contacting unsubscribe@halp.com.au. We process opt-out requests within 5 business days. We do not share your information with third parties for their own direct marketing without explicit consent.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be signalled by an updated "Last Updated" date, email notice (if you have an account), and a prominent website notice with a reasonable review period before changes take effect. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance.

13. Contact Us

Privacy Officer — Email: privacy@halp.com.au — Phone: 1300 137 406 — Mail: 235 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick VIC 3185. General inquiries: within 5 business days. Access requests: within 30 days. Complaint investigations: within 30 days.

14. Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ summarises key points in plain language. The full policy above governs in case of any inconsistency.

Q1. What personal information does HALP collect? Contact details, property search preferences, mortgage and finance information, business listing details, account information, and technical data such as IP address and browsing activity. See section 2.

Q2. How does HALP use my information? To deliver our property search, business directory and home-loan connection services; respond to inquiries; improve our platforms; and — only with your consent — send marketing communications. See section 3.

Q3. Does HALP sell my personal information? No. See section 4.3.

Q4. Who does HALP share my information with? Property developers, builders and agents you inquire about; mortgage brokers and lenders in our network; technology providers (AWS, Pipedrive, ActiveCampaign, Stripe, Google Analytics); professional advisors; and legally required bodies. See section 4.

Q5. Is my information stored in Australia? Some data is stored in Australia; some providers are overseas (primarily US and EU). See sections 5.3 and 10.

Q6. How long is my information kept? Account and transaction records generally 7 years after closure; marketing data until you unsubscribe; analytics typically 26 months. See section 5.2.

Q7. How can I access, correct or delete my information? Email privacy@halp.com.au. See section 7.

Q8. How do I opt out of marketing? Unsubscribe in email, reply STOP to SMS, update account preferences, or email unsubscribe@halp.com.au. See section 11.3.

Q9. How do I make a privacy complaint? Contact privacy@halp.com.au. If unsatisfied, contact OAIC. See section 7.5.